Jose Mourinho planning mega-deals for Harry Kane and John Stones when he joins Man Utd

Despite Louis van Gaal not planning on moving on from the United job, ESPN FC report that Mourinho is still confident that he'll be in charge at Old Trafford next season.

And the same report goes on to claim that the former Chelsea boss has got his eye on some of Europe's hottest property for his first season in charge – wanting at least five new players to have United competing for the Premier League title again.

Jose Mourinho's top five defensive targets for Manchester United

JOSE MOURINHO is still widely expected to take over at Manchester United in the near future. According to Spanish publication Sport, he has a shortlist of five top defenders that he wants to bring to Old Trafford if he gets the job.

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Jose Mourinho is still expected to take over at Old Trafford soon - but who does he want to bring in?

It's claimed that Tottenham's Harry Kane and Everton's John Stones are top of the Portuguese manager's wish list, and he's also considering moves for Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Renato Sanches from Benfica.

Ibrahimovic is a free agent this summer and has been linked with a host of Premier League clubs.

And the controversial Sweden striker is a big fan of the manager from their time together at Inter Milan.

Sanches shares an agent with Mourinho - Jorge Mendes - which could help persuade the Portugal international to travel to Manchester.

Stones might be a harder target though with Mourinho failing to land the defender while he was in charge at Chelsea despite making multiple bids.

Former Tottenham and United striker Teddy Sheringham urged Kane to consider a move to Old Trafford, despite Spurs being set to finish well above Louis van Gaal's side in the league.